Reaction to Pharmaceuticals’ Opioid Settlements from TruthPharm on Close Up

Local residents impacted by drug overdoses are being recognized in Tioga County with a community vigil while a local overdose awareness group founder reacts to big pharmaceutical companies starting to be held accountable for allegedly contributing to the addiction crisis.

The Overdose Awareness Day Community Vigil August 30 is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Owego Gazebo. This is the second year for the event in Tioga County.

Kathy Whyte/ WNBF News

Meanwhile, Truthpharm Director Alexis Pleus says she’s encouraged that large pharmaceutical companies are starting to face the music when it comes to their contribution to opioid addiction, with Oklahoma last week finding Johnson and Johnson responsible and Purdue now in talks concerning financial settlement:

Speaking on the weekly, local public affairs show, Southern Tier Close Up, Pleus says the science and now legal action substantiates belief the companies are contributors to the crisis.

Kathy Whyte/ WNBF News-Truth Pharm director Alexis Pleaus

Pleus says she hopes settlements being announced by drug companies goes to preventing further deaths and helping families that have suffered loss. State attorneys general and local governments are trying to hammer out how to divide money from any legal settlement related to the national opioid epidemic.

You can hear more from Alexis Pleus about the crisis and the work of TruthPharm in our area on Southern Tier Close Up at 6 a.m. Saturday August 31 on 98.1 The Hawk.